(A) (1) THE COMMITTEE MAY PROPOSE THE ADOPTION, AMENDMENT, OR
REPEAL OF RULES OF LEGISLATIVE ETHICS.

(2) CHANGES TO THE RULES SHALL BE PRESENTED IN THE FORM OF A
JOINT RESOLUTION AND SHALL BECOME EFFECTIVE AFTER ADOPTION OF THE
JOINT RESOLUTION BY A CONSTITUTIONAL MAJORITY OF EACH HOUSE VOTING
SEPARATELY.

(3) BEFORE PRESENTING A CHANGE TO THE RULES, THE COMMITTEE
SHALL CONDUCT A PUBLIC HEARING.

(b) (1) The rules may supplement but may not be inconsistent with the
provisions of the Maryland Public Ethics Law that relate to members of the General
Assembly.

(2) A RULE ADOPTED UNDER THIS SECTION SHALL BE VOID IF
REJECTED BY A SIMPLE RESOLUTION OF EITHER THE HOUSE OR SENATE.

(c) The rules are effective whether or not the General Assembly is in session
AND SHALL BE BINDING ON EACH MEMBER OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

2-709. COUNSEL TO THE ETHICS COMMITTEE.

(A) THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE DEPARTMENT OF LEGISLATIVE
SERVICES, SUBJECT TO THE APPROVAL OF THE PRESIDENT AND SPEAKER, SHALL
APPOINT AN ATTORNEY TO SERVE AS COUNSEL TO THE COMMITTEE.

(B) THE COUNSEL:

(1) SHALL DEVOTE FULL TIME TO THE DUTIES OF THE COMMITTEE, BUT
MAY NOT PARTICIPATE IN ANY INVESTIGATORY OR PROSECUTORIAL FUNCTION;

(2) MAY PROVIDE INFORMATION TO ANY PERSON REGARDING LAWS,
RULES, AND OTHER STANDARDS OF ETHICAL CONDUCT APPLICABLE TO MEMBERS
OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY;

(3) SHALL CARRY OUT ANY DUTIES PRESCRIBED UNDER TITLE 15,
SUBTITLE 5 OF THIS ARTICLE;

(4) SHALL MEET INDIVIDUALLY WITH EACH MEMBER OF THE GENERAL
ASSEMBLY EACH YEAR TO:

(I) ADVISE THE MEMBER REGARDING THE REQUIREMENTS OF
ANY APPLICABLE ETHICS LAW, RULE, OR STANDARD OF CONDUCT; AND

(II) ASSIST THE MEMBER IN PREPARING STATEMENTS AND
REPORTS REQUIRED TO BE FILED WITH THE COMMITTEE UNDER TITLE 15, SUBTITLE
5, PART II OF THIS ARTICLE; AND

(5) SHALL CONDUCT SEMINARS, WORKSHOPS, AND BRIEFINGS FOR THE
BENEFIT OF MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, AS DIRECTED BY THE
COMMITTEE, THE PRESIDENT, OR THE SPEAKER